Key West Inn

This Key West Inn outpost won't win any awards for style or design, but by budget motel standards it's a perfectly passable place to rest at night for the many tourists who pass through. There isn't much in the way of public space here, besides the outdoor pool, and some of the facade needs a fresh coat of paint. The lobby is purely functional, with a tiled floor, a few chairs, a rack of tourist brochures, and a small counter with free coffee and tea for guests. This is a motel-style property and all rooms are accessed from the outside. There are a few vending machines as well, and plenty of outdoor parking.

The Florida Keys are one of the diving capitals of the world and many of the area attractions are aquatic in nature. Dolphins Plus Bayside, a marine education facility where guests can swim dolphins in natural lagoons, is a four-minute walk from the hotel. Sail Fish Scuba, a six-minute drive, offers snorkeling, scuba dive training, guided kayak tours, and reef diving. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, home to a couple of good beaches and the destination for the area's glass-bottom boat tours, is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. Local hotspot Sharkey's Pub & Galley Restaurant, a 15-minute walk from the hotel, offers great American food and live music, while the popular waterfront restaurant, Pilot House, also has entertainment. The Florida Keys Marathon Airport is an hour's drive away from the hotel. Miami International Airport is an hour and 15 minutes away by car.

For families and couples needing extra space, these Townhouses deliver -- all units have two floors, with a separate bedroom upstairs, and pull-out couches in the living rooms downstairs. Cheerful yellow walls go a long way to brighten up the space, but can't mask the fact that the furniture is outdated. The living area has a leaf-motif couch and chair in red and celery-green colors, and tropical print drapes, while old red-patterned carpets run throughout and furniture has a cheap or dated quality to it. Wall art is predictably tropical and generic. All townhouses have full kitchens with dishwashers, toasters, coffeemakers, and microwaves, and there is a small dining area as well. In-room coffee and tea are free. Screened-in balconies, some with views of the adjacent marina, could be a nice touch, but the plastic furniture and tiled floor needs a serious power wash. Townhouses are air-conditioned and have free Wi-Fi, but some of the TVs are old tube-style units. Simple bathrooms are equally outdated, but clean, with mauve counters and bathtub/shower combos. Toiletries and towels are provided. Some guests have reported seeing ants in guest rooms and the music from the bar across the marina can be loud at night.

The Key West Inn has an outdoor pool, free parking, and free Wi-Fi, but unlike many budget chain properties, the hotel offers no free breakfasts. Pets are allowed for a fee. There is also free coffee in the hotel's lobby